CHAPTER VIl. 



FLOCK HUSBANDRY IN THE WESTERN 

 STATES. 



NEW MEXICO. 



The management of flocks upon tlie great 

 ranges of the West- varies considerably ac- 

 cording to the climate and topography of the 

 country and according to the character of the 

 men engaged in the industry. Probably the 

 oldest sheep industry in the United States was 

 founded in New Mexico by the early Mexican 

 colonists of Spanish and Indian origin. There 

 are in New Mexico vast plains ranging from 

 4,000 toi 8,000 feeit in altitude, interspersed with 

 mountains and canyons. These plains are gen- 

 erally covered with a rather thick, short grassof 

 considerable nutritive value. The climate is 

 dry and moderately cool, especially at night. 



The days are almost uniformly sunny and 

 warm. 



The native Mexican sheep found there in its 

 purity is becoming more and more uncommon, 

 owing to the steady introduction ■ of Merino 

 blood. There has also been introduced here 

 more or less blood from the English breeds 



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